Complaint Review: Road Runner Auto Sales - Taylor Michigan

On January 21, 2017 my aunt and I went to Road Runner Auto Sales, Inc to inquire about a used 2003 Ford Focus that was listed for $1,400 online. A representative, named Brain, showed me the car and informed me that the car had recently been looked over my a mechanic who said it was in good condition for a used vehicle. I expressed interested and asked if I could test drive the vehicle. The representative brought the car to the front of the lot while I returned to the office. When he returned he made a copy of my drivers license, retrieved a plate for the car, and gave me the keys. Outside in the lot the representative put the plate on the car and proceed to get in the car with me for the test drive. He directed me around the block and back to the dealership. During the drive I felt the gear shift and mentioned it to him, to which he replied that he could include a warranty for free which would take care of any problems should they arise. I decided I would purchase the car in full.

However, when I gave the representative the listed $1,400 for the vehicle he informed me that was actually the down payment price and the full price was closer to $3,000. I indicated that I would be unable to pay that amount upfront or make payments so I retracted my offer to buy the car and left the lot. About fifteen to twenty minutes later the representative called me to say that he had discussed it with his boss and they were willing to take the $1,400 out right. I returned to the lot to purchase the car. When I inquired if the warranty would still be free the representative said that I would at least have to pay $125, I was amenable to that price.

With taxes and warranty I paid $1,706.20 in total. I drove the car to my aunt's apartment, about fifteen minutes from the dealership, to prepare to return to school. When I came back out of her apartment and attempted to leave, I found that I could not put the car in reverse. I turned it off and on a few times to see if it would correct itself. When it didn't I followed my first mind and called AAA to have it towed. I then decided it would be best to call the dealership to see what they recommended. I talked to the representative who sold me the car and he told me to cancel the tow and let him see what he could do. I followed his instruction and had the tow cancelled.

However, after about fifteen to twenty minutes with no called back and no answer when I called I decided to call AAA again. I called to inform Road Runner that I called the tow again, the representative yet again told me to cancel the tow and that he was attempting to see if someone on his side could come tow it. He was just waiting for a call back and would call me when he knew something. I followed his instruction cancelled the tow and waited. Another fifteen to twenty minutes passed and with it getting dark outside I just couldn't wait any longer. I called AAA one last time for them to tow it. When the representative finally did get back to me he told me that he couldn't find anyone to come tow the car and that I should call someone. In the end the car had to go to two seperate mechanics who both informed me that the transmission was no longer working properly. One even informed me that the car could have gone into neutral while I was driving. Both had a difficult time getting a representative from the dealership on the phone so they could ask pertinent questions and when they did get someone they were very rude, either putting the mechaninc on hold for hours or out right  hanging up.